Mass transit riders, like these BART passengers, can both knowingly and unwittingly offend elderly and disabled users.

Photo: David Paul Morris, The Chronicle

Mass transit riders, like these BART passengers, can both knowingly...

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Commuters at Embarcadero Station crowd into a BART car in San Francisco, Calif. BART trains are being reconfigured to pack in more commuters by removing some seats and adding hanging hold straps.Katy Raddatz / The San Francisco Chronicle

I was in a senior seat on BART last Sunday. The train was packed with tourists and revelers. Three large young women all plunked down into the front-facing seat at a right-angle to me, and as they did so, one kicked my leg. I told her what happened. This got me a load of vicious mouth. Then she got on her phone, and jeeringly related my comment to a friend.

I said I would notify the train operator. She leaned right in my face and sneered, "Go for it!" I couldn't - there is no button that I can see that a senior can press to ask for help. When I left the train, she screamed after me, "Grow up!" I wonder what the tourists all thought of American manners?

Let oblivious youngsters know

I am a senior who, unfortunately, tends to be unsteady on his feet. When I am on a crowded bus, and young people do not voluntarily relinquish their seat to me, I tap them on the shoulder and ask if they are a senior. Without exception, they look chagrined, stand up and provide me the seat.

Look for the beauty

Instead of people acting badly (which there are many) I would like to focus on people acting nicely.

Case in point: two beautiful scenes.

First scene: While riding my bike I came across a grandfather taking his grandchild for a walk. The child, about 3 years old, came to the curb to cross the street and decided he was tired, so he just sat down on the curb. The grandfather gingerly and carefully sat down next to him for a little chat time. I was impressed with the kindness and understanding.

Second scene: A father with his 2-year-old son. The child was slung over his shoulder, and you could see the child happily looking around with his arms out as if he was soaring with the eagles. Wonderful. I was impressed because it shows that both parents are needed - a mother who holds a child close to her heart and a father who lets the child look around and see the world.

Cyclists, be visible

What a glorious autumn we are having. That also means it is getting darker earlier.

At 8:30 p.m. I was driving east on 17th Street near Dolores Street. 17th Street is a busy bike street. I could faintly make out bikes on either side of the street. Some bikes have no lights, some have a feeble tire generator light and a reflector that is not visible enough. Even more dangerous is that many cyclists wear all black clothes.

I laud all the people who ride their bikes, I just want you to live a long time in our beautiful city. As a pedestrian, I cross the intersection of Church and Duboce streets about 10 times a week. At rush hour, that intersection and the wiggle farther west is fraught with obstacles: cars, buses, streetcars, bikes, pedestrians and streetcar tracks. Please wear light colored and if possible reflective clothing. And nighttime visibility will become even more difficult in the evenings when it starts raining.

Children must be cared for

You published an article on the reopening of the rule-breaking George Mark Children's House ("New focus as home for ill kids reopens," Oct. 13).

My discovery of the availability of this residential care for children with life-limiting illnesses gave me a warm fuzzy. I found it interesting and sad, however, that although many of these children were covered by Medi-Cal, the care facility was forced to shut down for a period of time because it was unable to cover the expense of care as Medi-Cal was unwilling to reimburse them.

I believe that insurance companies adulterate much of health care but that they are currently a necessary evil to allow a health care institution, provider and patient to not only give and receive care, but to also continue providing care to the people who follow. I hope the new business model of this facility to contract with more insurance companies pays off and that the insurance companies are willing to provide this level of necessary care for these very sick and dying children.

It is also my hope, however, that the donations to this facility don't ever stop coming in so as to preserve care, regardless of ability - no, willingness - of insurance to pay.